{"id":89771,"date":"2026-08-24T16:14:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T06:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=89771"},"modified":"2026-08-24T16:14:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T06:14:14","slug":"2026-afl-wild-card-finals-tips-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/08\/2026-afl-wild-card-finals-tips-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFL Wild Card Finals Tips &amp; Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>With the ladder locked and finals seeding officially set, the focus turns to the AFL&#8217;s inaugural Wild Card Weekend with two evenly matched, All-Melbourne affairs set to play out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The MCG comes to life on Friday night for a must-see clash between the feisty Bulldogs and the heavily wounded Magpies, before the Dees look to right last week&#8217;s wrongs and down Carlton on Saturday night &#8211; right back on footy&#8217;s hallowed turf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s not much separating each team in their respective markets, so for a comprehensive look at both games, check out our AFL Wild Card Preview right here!<\/p>\n\n\n<style><\/style><div data-league=\"AFL\" data-event=\"champion-129910101-140-40\" data-market=\"null\" data-sport=\"australian_rules\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner wp-block-entain-sport-takeover-banner-block_3e2b2756ea97e7df55a6a34facb90844 sport-data\">    <section class=\"sport-takeover-banner__wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"origin-banner__inner\">\n\n            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__details\">\n                <!-- Change data-countdown-to to your event date\/time. -->\n                <div\n                    class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown\"\n                    data-countdown-to=\"2026-08-28T09:40:00Z\"\n                    aria-label=\"Event countdown\">\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\" data-days-wrapper>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-days>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Days<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-hours>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Hours<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-minutes>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Mins<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-seconds>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Secs<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <h3 class=\"sport-takeover-banner__title\">AFL<\/h3>\n                <p class=\"sport-takeover-banner__meta\">MCG &bull; Friday 28th Aug<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__teams\">\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team sport-takeover-banner__team--one\">\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__logo\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__image\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/western-bulldogs-vs-collingwood\/38392e48-839b-46df-8d9a-0dd44aadde92\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__link\">\n                                <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg#western-bulldogs\"><\/use> <\/svg> \n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__name\">Western Bulldogs <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/western-bulldogs-vs-collingwood\/38392e48-839b-46df-8d9a-0dd44aadde92\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__odds\">$2.00<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__teams__vs\">vs<\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team sport-takeover-banner__team--two\">\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__logo\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__image\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/western-bulldogs-vs-collingwood\/38392e48-839b-46df-8d9a-0dd44aadde92\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__link\">\n                                <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg#collingwood\"><\/use> <\/svg> \n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__name\">Collingwood <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/western-bulldogs-vs-collingwood\/38392e48-839b-46df-8d9a-0dd44aadde92\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__odds\">$1.82<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__disclaimer\">AFL odds correct as of 24\/08\/2026 and subject to change. <\/div>\n            \n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n\n<section class=\"entain-block teams-tip-block hoverable\">\n  <div class=\"teams-tip-header\">\n    <div class=\"teams-tip-header-meta\">\n      <!--div class=\"teams-tip-header-meta__inner\"-->\n        <div class=\"team-vs-team\" style=\"display:flex\">\n          <span class=\"icon\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg?v=20260821a#western-bulldogs\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n          <div style=\"display:flex; flex-direction:row; flex-wrap:wrap; justify-content:center; align-items:center; text-align:center; column-gap:5px; font-weight: 700\">\n            <div class=\"team_1\" style=\"flex-direction:column;\">Western Bulldogs<\/div>\n            <div class=\"versus\" style=\"font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;\">vs<\/div>\n            <div class=\"team_2\">Collingwood<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"info\">Friday 28th August 2026 7:40 PM (MCG)<\/div>\n                                              <\/div>\n          <span class=\"icon\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg?v=20260821a#collingwood-magpies\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <!--\/div -->\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      <div class='teams-tip-content'>\n      <p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The first Wild Card clash\u00a0shapes as\u00a0a tight tussle with recent encounters between the\u00a0Dogs and Collingwood\u00a0going right down to the wire.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Dogs prevailed by five points when they\u00a0last met Collingwood in Round 12, although\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0plenty to be said about the Pies\u2019 fourth quarter comeback that saw them erase a three-goal deficit\u00a0and nearly pull off a come-from-behind win.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Injuries have taken a large toll on these two clubs ever since, and the Dogs might be licking their lips after Craig McRae made the risky decision to play a full squad featuring veteran Scott Pendlebury and\u00a0defensive\u00a0lynchpin Brayden Maynard\u00a0in the loss to Brisbane last week.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The two Collingwood superstars suffered serious injuries that have ruled them out for this clash, while the Dogs might have some positive news (finally) with Tim English a chance at returning to the ruck.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Looking ahead, the obvious argument is that the Pies are better suited to playing at the MCG, but they\u2019ll have their work cut out against an in-form Dogs team that could be a major dark horse after drawing with\u00a0Carlton and\u00a0then going on to defeat Melbourne over the last fortnight.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As is always the case, the Dogs kicking straight in front of goal could mean the difference between an extended season or a holiday, particularly for a team that has ranked bottom half in points all year.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At the same time, the Dogs have been great around the clearances and\u00a0much better at limiting turnover \u2013\u00a0two areas that cost the Pies last week against the reigning premiers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inside 50 entries have also proven hard to come by for both clubs across the year, lending itself to a low-scoring game.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Again, Aaron Naughton\u2019s fitness could be key for the Dogs &#8211; and you\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0discount a McRae coaching masterclass &#8211; but with the Pies licking their wounds, the price on offer for the Bulldogs is hard to ignore.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Prediction:<\/strong> Bulldogs to Win\u00a0@\u00a0$2.00<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Value:<\/strong> Bulldogs\u00a0to Win &amp; Under 169.5 Total Points\u00a0@\u00a0$3.70<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Player Pick:<\/strong> Ed Richards 28+ Disposals\u00a0@\u00a0$1.85<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n        <div class=\"teams-tip-button\">\t\t\t\n          <a class=\"track-me btn-standard bet-now-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/australian-rules\/afl\/western-bulldogs-vs-collingwood\/38392e48-839b-46df-8d9a-0dd44aadde92\" target=\"_blank\" \n          data-tr-event=\"blog\" data-tr-method=\"bet now button\" data-tr-action=\"open sport_event\" data-tr-label=\"38392e48-839b-46df-8d9a-0dd44aadde92\" data-tr-event-id=\"38392e48-839b-46df-8d9a-0dd44aadde92\"  \n          >Bet Now<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n<style><\/style><div data-league=\"AFL\" data-event=\"champion-129910102-90-30\" data-market=\"null\" data-sport=\"australian_rules\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner wp-block-entain-sport-takeover-banner-block_c3f83cd581f261571ec9f55597d47265 sport-data\">    <section class=\"sport-takeover-banner__wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"origin-banner__inner\">\n\n            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__details\">\n                <!-- Change data-countdown-to to your event date\/time. -->\n                <div\n                    class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown\"\n                    data-countdown-to=\"2026-08-29T09:35:00Z\"\n                    aria-label=\"Event countdown\">\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\" data-days-wrapper>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-days>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Days<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-hours>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Hours<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-minutes>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Mins<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-seconds>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Secs<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <h3 class=\"sport-takeover-banner__title\">AFL<\/h3>\n                <p class=\"sport-takeover-banner__meta\">MCG &bull; Saturday 29th Aug<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__teams\">\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team sport-takeover-banner__team--one\">\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__logo\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__image\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/melbourne-vs-carlton\/eccdc4f5-e01e-4aca-afab-570869b53702\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__link\">\n                                <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg#melbourne\"><\/use> <\/svg> \n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__name\">Melbourne <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/melbourne-vs-carlton\/eccdc4f5-e01e-4aca-afab-570869b53702\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__odds\">$2.10<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__teams__vs\">vs<\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team sport-takeover-banner__team--two\">\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__logo\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__image\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/melbourne-vs-carlton\/eccdc4f5-e01e-4aca-afab-570869b53702\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__link\">\n                                <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg#carlton\"><\/use> <\/svg> \n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__name\">Carlton <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/melbourne-vs-carlton\/eccdc4f5-e01e-4aca-afab-570869b53702\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__odds\">$1.73<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__disclaimer\">AFL odds correct as of 24\/08\/2026 and subject to change. <\/div>\n            \n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n\n<section class=\"entain-block teams-tip-block hoverable\">\n  <div class=\"teams-tip-header\">\n    <div class=\"teams-tip-header-meta\">\n      <!--div class=\"teams-tip-header-meta__inner\"-->\n        <div class=\"team-vs-team\" style=\"display:flex\">\n          <span class=\"icon\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg?v=20260821a#melbourne-fc\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n          <div style=\"display:flex; flex-direction:row; flex-wrap:wrap; justify-content:center; align-items:center; text-align:center; column-gap:5px; font-weight: 700\">\n            <div class=\"team_1\" style=\"flex-direction:column;\">Melbourne<\/div>\n            <div class=\"versus\" style=\"font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;\">vs<\/div>\n            <div class=\"team_2\">Collingwood<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"info\">Saturday 29th August 2026 7:35 PM (MCG)<\/div>\n                                              <\/div>\n          <span class=\"icon\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg?v=20260821a#carlton-fc\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <!--\/div -->\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      <div class='teams-tip-content'>\n      <p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The first Wild Card clash\u00a0shapes as\u00a0a tight tussle with recent encounters between the\u00a0Dogs and Collingwood\u00a0going right down to the wire.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Dogs prevailed by five points when they\u00a0last met Collingwood in Round 12, although\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0plenty to be said about the Pies\u2019 fourth quarter comeback that saw them erase a three-goal deficit\u00a0and nearly pull off a come-from-behind win.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Injuries have taken a large toll on these two clubs ever since, and the Dogs might be licking their lips after Craig McRae made the risky decision to play a full squad featuring veteran Scott Pendlebury and\u00a0defensive\u00a0lynchpin Brayden Maynard\u00a0in the loss to Brisbane last week.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The two Collingwood superstars suffered serious injuries that have ruled them out for this clash, while the Dogs might have some positive news (finally) with Tim English a chance at returning to the ruck.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Looking ahead, the obvious argument is that the Pies are better suited to playing at the MCG, but they\u2019ll have their work cut out against an in-form Dogs team that could be a major dark horse after drawing with\u00a0Carlton and\u00a0then going on to defeat Melbourne over the last fortnight.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As is always the case, the Dogs kicking straight in front of goal could mean the difference between an extended season or a holiday, particularly for a team that has ranked bottom half in points all year.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At the same time, the Dogs have been great around the clearances and\u00a0much better at limiting turnover \u2013\u00a0two areas that cost the Pies last week against the reigning premiers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inside 50 entries have also proven hard to come by for both clubs across the year, lending itself to a low-scoring game.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Again, Aaron Naughton\u2019s fitness could be key for the Dogs &#8211; and you\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0discount a McRae coaching masterclass &#8211; but with the Pies licking their wounds, the price on offer for the Bulldogs is hard to ignore.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Prediction:<\/strong> Bulldogs to Win\u00a0@\u00a0$2.00<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Value:<\/strong> Bulldogs\u00a0to Win &amp; Under 169.5 Total Points\u00a0@\u00a0$3.70<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Player Pick:<\/strong> Ed Richards 28+ Disposals\u00a0@\u00a0$1.85<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n        <div class=\"teams-tip-button\">\t\t\t\n          <a class=\"track-me btn-standard bet-now-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/australian-rules\/afl\/melbourne-vs-carlton\/eccdc4f5-e01e-4aca-afab-570869b53702\" target=\"_blank\" \n          data-tr-event=\"blog\" data-tr-method=\"bet now button\" data-tr-action=\"open sport_event\" data-tr-label=\"eccdc4f5-e01e-4aca-afab-570869b53702\" data-tr-event-id=\"eccdc4f5-e01e-4aca-afab-570869b53702\"  \n          >Bet Now<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the ladder locked and finals seeding officially set, the focus turns to the AFL&#8217;s inaugural Wild Card Weekend with two evenly matched, All-Melbourne affairs set to play out. The MCG comes to life on Friday night for a must-see clash between the feisty Bulldogs and the heavily wounded Magpies, before the Dees look to right last week&#8217;s wrongs and down Carlton on Saturday night &#8211; right back on footy&#8217;s hallowed turf. There&#8217;s not much separating each team in their respective markets, so for a comprehensive look at both games, check out our AFL Wild Card Preview right here! 0&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":89772,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[33],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-89771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australian-rules","tag-afl-tips"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"24\/08\/2026","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=89771"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":89773,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/89771\/revisions\/89773"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/89772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=89771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=89771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=89771"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=89771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}